If change is in the air, then it must be the political season. The last time there was a looming presidential election was the last time there was so much attention focused on one issue. Back then, outsourcing was the hot button issue. This time around it’s the environment. And politicians eve-rywhere have decided that “banning the bulb” is the way to environmental salvation.
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Stark sets and dramatic lighting link the past to the present.
Although new chamber pieces and small-scale operas are frequently performed, new large-scale opera premieres are rare. First, there is the expense. In addition to the words and music, grand opera demands enormous resources, both onstage and in the wings. The company needs principal and secondary singers, a chorus, stagehands, dancers, choreographers, an orchestra, conductors, the stage directors, and the technicians and artists responsible for lighting, scenery, props and costumes. Repertory companies also have large administrative staff requirements. For the year 2005–2006, salaries for all of San Francisco Opera totaled in excess of $40 million. Picture a big Broadway musical on steroids.
Read More »I was once on a gig where, for no apparent reason, the power distro went snap, crackle, pop. Really, it was more like crackle, big snap, bright flash, little pop, smoke puff. That’s not a sight and sound you want to experience first thing in the morning, not even when you’re having cereal. The dimmer tech who energized the PD, just before the impromptu light and sound show, went looking for the house electrician who had just tied in the feeder cables. He was nowhere to be found. Then he went looking for someone more qualified than himself to resolve the problem before doors a few hours later.
Read More »The idea of the one-man band has been with us for at least eight centuries, going back to the peripatetic flute and snare-like tabor players of rural France. My personal favorite was “Duster” Bennett, who toured with John Mayall in 1970, a bill I saw at the Fillmore East that year. The most fa-mous of this odd bunch was Don Partridge, who roamed Europe with a bass drum on his back and a guitar and harmonica up front, and who man-aged to snag a top-ten hit in 1968, possibly a first for any multi-instrumental busker. Technology has made it possible to approach the notion of a one-person orchestra, with battery-powered MIDI triggering all sorts of sound generators. And now, it’s also brought us the concept of the one-man stage crew.
Read More »I love hearing about practical jokes that others in our biz lay as well. Back around 1988 I was touring with Steve Winwood. Andy,… Read More »more windups
Read More »OK this next blog starts here sitting in a hotel here in Richmond, Va. Currently I’m on tour with Porter Batiste Stoltz some of the damn funkiest musicians to come out of New Orleans, LA. Beginning where I left off on the last blog… I had a lot of downtime once I got off the last tour so I did some local shows with good friends Damn Right, Basshound, and Earthtone, worked on my Porter Batiste Stoltz cues I needed to have ready for the tour, started looking for some new pieces of gear to incorporate into the show, and to go over some repairs and accessories I need. It’s funny when you’re out on the road you don’t realize how much crap will pile up for you when you get home.
Read More »When making a deal with a producer or lighting company, there are many things you must consider. First, the rate should be agreed upon for… Read More »Show Me the Money!
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The Mania SCX800 is the latest in Martin’s Mania series of powerful, compact and feature packed scanners. Driven by 150 watts of discharge power, the SCX800 is a one-of-a-kind rollerscan effect with all new gobo designs, 4 “fat” beam projection and a continuously rotating mirror drum designed for shows and nightclubs.
Read More »NEW YORK — Broadway is at a standstill today after failed negotiations between the stagehands’ union Local One and the League of American Theatres and Producers led IATSE International President Thomas Short to sanction a union strike on Saturday, Nov. 10.
Read More »ARHUS, DENMARK — Martin Professional A/S’s positive 2007 growth continued in the year’s third quarter. Martin increased revenue by 14.3% from $48.4 million in the third quarter of 2006 to $55.4 million in the third quarter of 2007. For the period Jan.1 to Sept. 30, 2007, Martin increased revenue by 24.3% to $168.6 million compared with $135.6 million for the same period last year.
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UNCASVILLE, CT — This year’s Trans-Siberian Orchestra tour has two identical shows on the East and West Coast, each carrying 13 truckloads of production. Included in the total equipment package are 30 High End Systems SHOWGUN automated luminaires and four Wholehog 3 consoles for both tours supplied by Q1 of Canada.
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SHANGHAI — Chinese President Hu Jintao declared the beginning of the 2007 Special Olympic World Summer Games at the recent opening ceremony.
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